Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention! I wanted to apologize for not keeping up with my story updates. *bows deeply* Unfortunatly, I do not own the Internet so I have to use WiFi. (if available) So now with WiFi I am able to submit this story. And for an extra treat, I'm going to upload another Chapter within this day! Keep reading and reviewing.
Also thank you for all of the reviews :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown or original characters. But I do own the plot :]
"Shizuoka-sama, do you want a drink?" Tsubasa Hino asked, exposing her neck.
Raimundo smiled at the elite young woman who so eagerly exposed her neck for him. He stooped down and whispered to the girl's ears.
"Thank you," he said, eliciting a tremor from the girl. "But not now."
Hino frowned in disappointment.
"The girls are pretty energetic today," Omi commented, laughing slightly.
"Don't make such brash comments, Omi-kun!" Iris complained. "Hi, hi, Raimundo-kun!"
Raimundo grinned. At least there was one person who didn't seem so afraid of him. "Hi, Iris-chan."
"Iris!" Elisabeth, Iris's mother scolded. "Don't be so disrespectful to Raimundo-sama."
"But mama –" Iris complained.
"It's fine, Tunda-san," Raimundo said. "I like Iris."
Elisabeth smiled at Raimundo. "Thank you, Raimundo-sama."
"You're the best," Iris said, punching Raimundo in the arm and moving away.
"You're spoiling her too much," Omi said, shaking his head.
Raimundo just smiled as he saw Abassi getting dragged over to them by his youngest cousin who had a great crush on the Shizuoka heir.
Making their way towards him, Abassi's cousin smiled at Raimundo suggestively, "Hello, Raimundo-san."
Huffing, Abassi gave her a look, "Dear cousin, please leave. I'm already embarrassed enough."
Puffing her cheeks, she glared at him, "I'm just trying to make friends."
Seeing Abassi fixing to lose his temper Raimundo got an idea. Leaning towards the girl he gave her a soft smile, "Thank you for coming join us, but it's almost time for you to go." Kissing her on the cheek, she yelped and ran off towards the bathroom; wishing to not further embarrass herself.
"That's what you get," Abassi said, huffing slightly as Luna laughed at the loving display and gave Abassi a glass of blood.
"Forgive me for the disturbance, Raimundo," he added.
"It's all good," Raimundo said. "This is a party, after all. Lighten up and relax, Abassi."
Abassi sighed and remained where he stood.
"This is a pleasant evening, isn't it?" Tunda Gaetan said, grinning at Raimundo.
"Yes it is," Raimundo replied. "How are you, Tunda-san?"
"Fine, fine," Gaetan said, waving his hand. "My daughter hasn't been a nuisance, has she?"
Alix blushed behind her father as Clay, Raimundo noted, shot Gaetan a murderous glance.
"No, no," Raimundo said, smiling. "Your daughter was a lot of help to me, even now."
Alix smiled in gratitude.
Gaetan ignored the compliment Raimundo gave Alix and grinned wider as Shizuoka Daichi and Shizuoka Chiyo approached them.
"Good evening, Shizuoka-sama," Gaetan greeted, bowing deeply.
"Good evening, Gaetan," Daichi replied.
Gaetan took Chiyo's hand and kissed it. "Always a pleasure in seeing the lovely Chiyo-sama."
"Thank you, Gaetan," Chiyo responded, smiling.
"I was chatting with your son here about my daughter," Gaetan said.
"You look lovely tonight, Alix-chan," Daichi said.
Alix blushed and muttered a 'thank you.'
"Good evening, Shizuoka-sama," Xiao-Yu Xi'an greeted.
"Good evening, Xi'an," Daichi replied.
"Do you think they would still come?"
"Of course they will Xi'an, just give them time; right cousin?" Andoartina asked and said as he walked up behind the unsuspecting Xiao-Yu.
"I think they still would. They have told me," Daichi said.
The sound of a staff being hit on the floor silenced everyone. A deafening quiet enveloped them all. This was a signal that someone important was coming.
"They're here," Raimundo said.
"The De Luca clan," the Prospectus finally announced.
A tide of intrigued mumbles covered the room.
"De Luca?"
"Isn't that the Black Sheep of the Pur-Sang?"
"And here I thought they were banished."
"So they still existed?"
"I guess they're done hiding."
"Do you think they're here for trouble?"
"Shizuoka is still more powerful, we know that."
The murmurs were silenced as a trio, dressed fully in black, came in.
The man was devilishly handsome, with shoulder-length ebony hair and storm-cloud eyes. His mouth was set in an unexpressive line as he walked proudly along the room. His tall figure was supported by a lean build that was impressive to watch. His hair was stylishly tamed by using a corona or 'crown' which was in the form of a cats' eye; this was the rumored crown of the De Luca. His aura was intimidating and the blankness of his expression a bit terrifying. No one knew him. The De Luca clan had been hiding from the vampire community for so long. Their present head and his family remained a mystery to them. He was followed by a woman with a detached expression. Her hair was a deep auburn and her eyes were a light shade of blue that they almost looked like liquid silver if the light hit right. The silk, emerald gown encased her wonderful and tall frame. She walked artfully behind her husband, also wearing a cats' eye corona near her ears, a symbol that she was indeed the wife of De Luca's head.
Alongside her was a petite girl who seemed to be the daughter. Her hair was black and layered and her eyes the same hue of gray as her father's. Her gown was simple but elegant, stopping just above her knees. Her pale skin was a bit sickly in nature, but her eyes were alive and alert. They were somewhat defiant. They approached the place where the purebloods stood, the Shizuoka family in the receiving front. The entire population within the hall was hushed, eager and scared of what will happen between the rivaling clans.
"Glad you could join us," Shizuoka Daichi said in his usual, relaxed manner, unfazed by the events before him. He extended a hand for De Luca's head to shake. But the man didn't take it; instead, he bowed, along with his two companions.
"Forgive us for being late," he said in smooth and deep velvety voice. "For the benefit of the people present, let us introduce ourselves."
"Do go on," Daichi said, smiling.
"I am De Luca Fiammetta, 38th head of the De Luca family," he said. He gestured to the honey-haired woman beside him. "This is my wife, De Luca Celia." The woman bowed again towards all of them.
He then gestured to the raven-haired girl with them. "This is my younger sister, De Luca Desideria."
Younger sister? Raimundo thought. So this wasn't the transfer student. Where was he then?
"Where is your child, Fiammetta?" Daichi asked courteously.
"I'm afraid she cannot join us tonight," Fiammetta replied. "She has complained about being sick so we sent her to the Gehenna Dormitory as soon as we arrived, if that is fine with Headmaster Fung-sama?"
Fung gave a laugh. "That's okay," he said. "Brother, we should move along with the celebrations."
"Yes," Daichi said. "Everyone, please enjoy the night."
Tension left quickly as everyone went back to where they were before De Luca arrived.
"By the way, this is my wife, Chiyo," Daichi told Fiammetta. The man took Chiyo's hand and kissed it.
"A pleasure to meet you," he said.
"Same goes here," Chiyo replied.
"A pleasant evening," Celia and Desideria said in greeting.
The rival families exchanged formalities until it was Raimundo's turn.
"This is my son and only child, Shizuoka Raimundo," Daichi said.
Raimundo bowed to the trio. "A thrill to finally meet the De Luca clan," he said
"An extraordinary chance to meet the Shizuoka heir," De Luca Fiammetta said, his withdrawn expression not changing.
"It's a pity your daughter is not here," Raimundo said. "As Dorm Leader and Student President, I would have welcomed her personally to our school."
"I'm sure you'll do that excellently," Fiammetta said. "And I trust that you shall take care of our daughter in her stay here?"
"Yes," Raimundo said.
"She is of delicate health," Celia said. "She's not used to the climate here, so I hope she would be in the best hands.
"I assure you, she will be," Raimundo said.
Raimundo smiled at them all, but was quite surprised by the ill-hidden frown of hatred given to him by De Luca Desideria. He ignored it, and chose to excuse himself.
"What was that all about?" Clay asked.
"Nothing," Raimundo said.
"If nothing meaning that the De Luca sister is looking at you as if she would kill you," Omi added.
Raimundo chuckled. "A small vampire can't do anything to me. But her niece can."
They all stared at Raimundo.
"Do you feel that something is at hand, Raimundo?" Haruna asked.
"Of course," Raimundo said. "There's always something at hand, and quite a handful, when it comes to the rivalry of De Luca and Shizuoka."
"You are all so scared. Now if you don't mind I shall be going back to the dorms. Jiroku and I need to talk." Luna stated as she kissed Raimundo's cheek along with the others and left in a smooth glide across the floor.
"Wait!" Alix said, "Who is Jiroku?"
Shrugging Luna just smiled, "My familiar." And disappeared.
The feast went on for hours. One could barely register the tension going on within the room. The nobles, though relaxed, seemed to be anticipating the next move of the two rivaling clans. And also there was a question that lingered on everyone's minds.
Where was the De Luca heiress?
If the petite, raven-haired girl wasn't that person but instead the De Luca head's sister, then who the real deal?
Raimundo wandered about the hall, his mind preoccupied by inquiries about the enigmatic De Luca girl. He was oblivious in fact that he bumped into a laughing Xiao-Yu Haruna.
"Raimundo," she said in surprise.
Raimundo was awakened from his trail of thoughts and gave a distracted smile towards the beautiful vampire in front of him.
"Uhm… can I ask a favor?" she asked.
He half-listened. There was something about him that was so drastically single-minded. If he wanted to know things, he wanted to know them quickly. He just learned to be coolly objective about it and learned to hide whatever extreme emotion he was feeling, that's why for most parts, he looked detached.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Can you give me the honor of taking you for a dance?" Haruna asked.
Raimundo was mildly surprised. It was rare of Haruna to be straightforward about things, let alone ask him straight out for a dance.
"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that question?" Raimundo asked.
Haruna blushed. "I just think that since you have never taken interest in dancing with anyone in any gathering I would ask instead."
Raimundo thought about it. He really didn't like the fuss the girls made.
"Many men would love to dance with you," he said.
"Yes," she said, eyes looking hurt. "But I want you."
Raimundo gave her a soft smile. Might as well.
He said nothing and took her light body in his, motioning her to the dance floor in one swift movement.
The vampires present watched in expectation as the two purebloods danced in the middle of the floor. Everyone's attention was on them – some jealous, others happy, and a few curious.
Shizuoka Daichi and his wife watched on approvingly. They had been thinking that Haruna might be the one selected by the Blood Orchid.
Xiao-Yu Xi'an watched proudly as he and Yelan danced, and not saying anything but they simply looked at each other and glided across the room.
This was somewhat an assurance for all that the bloodline will again be preserved.
The opening ceremonies ended, and the parents left in haste.
No anticipated brawl between the Shizuokas' and De Lucas' happened and the De Luca heiress was still not seen.
The Pur-Sang students went back to the Gehenna Dorm, along with the other noble students.
Raimundo sighed to himself as he went up to the Pur-Sang exclusive common room. He still hasn't seen the De Luca heiress.
"Rima?" he called out.
Shiki Rima appeared instantly. "Yes, Raimundo-sama?"
"Have you seen the De Luca heiress yet?"
"No, Raimundo-sama," Rima replied. "I have been trying to pinpoint her location, but no sign of her. The barrier she had put around herself is so strong and is still not lifted."
"What is she playing at, not making herself known?" Omi grumbled.
"Yes. The Dorm welcome party is about to start, and still no sign of the main celebrant," Haruna said gently. "Do you think she's alright?"
"I hope so," Raimundo said. "Her father mentioned that she was sick. But I think she's strong enough to handle her own."
"Has she reached her full potentials yet?" Abassi asked.
"Yes, she has," Clay piped in.
They all looked at the usually silent and passive Clay.
"And this information came when?" Raimundo asked.
"I overheard Xiao-Yu Xi'an talking to De Luca Fiammetta," Clay said. "Apparently, it was last August."
Omi laughed. "So we have three fully-capable purebloods in the school now."
Haruna giggled. "Yes, Omi, Luna-san, De Luca-san, and I."
"Can't wait for November," they heard Alix mumble.
In the corner of his eye, Raimundo was sure he saw something white float near the huge glass window overlooking all of them.
"I sensed something," Haruna said.
"Me too," Alix said in agreement.
"De Luca?" Abassi asked.
"Most probably," Clay said.
"I think you have the ability to summon her, Raimundo-sama," Abassi said. "Your powers are greater than her."
"No. As of now she is more powerful than me," Raimundo said.
They all stared at him in shock.
"What?" Omi asked.
"The De Luca clan is second to our clan after all," Raimundo said. "A full-fledged pureblood and an heir at that, their family surpasses an undeveloped member of our clan. But when I come of age, I will be more powerful than her – more than she can ever imagine."
"How much more powerful is she?" Alix asked in fright.
"It's only a bit," Raimundo said. "I have more special abilities, but my summoning technique does not work on her. Not now."
They all nodded in understanding.
"I guess the party would begin without her," Omi said.
"I guess so," Clay agreed.
"Shall we go?" Raimundo asked, getting up from his seat.
They all agreed and left.
She flew in the darkness, wandering about the night sky of Alyssum Academy.
The feast was over, but the Gehenna Dorm lights were still ablaze.
She was the De Luca heiress and right now, she felt at home.
She wasn't ill as her father conceived her to be in the gatherings. She simply refused to attend such social niceties and she refused to see the Shizuoka clan. Like all her forebears, she had inherited the deep, seething sense of competition and wrath towards the so-called most powerful vampire clan. But she never took hold to that hate; instead she wanted to show that her family was not the black sheep that they said they were. Let the whole vampire world know that the De Luca heiress was a weak, sickly girl.
But they wouldn't know what hit them when they saw her.
She wouldn't go now – she refused to go anywhere but high above the earth.
She wanted to observe in peace. She had already finished setting up her dorm. She hated having others do her work so her father lets her do what she wants when she is alone. But she will always have a servant for accessory reasons. But she was also here to prove that the De Luca clan wasn't a dead family.
After all these years.
Finally.
The party started with delight. The upperclassmen welcomed the newcomers with much delight.
The Pur-Sang watched over them all, set up high above on top of the stairs leading to the mansion-designed dormitory.
Laughter and music filled the room with no sign of meals, for they were all stuffed from the previous banquet.
Raimundo cleared his throat, and everyone was silenced.
"A wonderful evening to you all," he said, standing tall. "I, Shizuoka Raimundo, as the Supreme Student Government President and Dormitory Leader, it is with great honor that I welcome the old students, once again, and the new students to the new school year of Alyssum Academy."
Applause covered the open air.
"If there is anything that you find inconvenient in this institution, let me know and I shall be glad to help," he added. "Though I am certain that there wouldn't be many problems since this school is always dedicated to perfection and I am always dedicated to perfection."
He sat down and everyone clapped merrily.
Not too far away, hovering above them all, a figure clapped along.
"So, you're the Shizuoka heir?" she mumbled. "Haughty as always."
"Yes he is. He is also my cousin." A voice behind her stated making her jump.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Nguyen Luna, heiress of course and you must be the De Luca. Am I right?"
She nodded slowly, not knowing whether this woman would alert the others of their presence. But she did no such thing. Instead she stayed on her perch and just watched. Breathing deeply, the De Luca girl went first, "My name is De Luca Kimiko and heiress as well."
Luna smiled her fangs out there for Kimiko to see, "It's nice to formally meet you my sister. Now if you want there is a corridor right there; that'll lead you to an opening to a set of catacombs. No one knows about them except me."
"Why are you helping me? Don't you hate me?"
"If I hated you, then I would also hate myself because I was also treated wrongly for who I was. Now Kimiko-chan, I shall see you soon; also, this talk never happened. Is this a deal?"
"Yes, this is a deal. Thank you Luna-san."
"Chan, I'm giving you the use of chan."
"Alright, Luna-chan."
With that, Luna disappeared in a whirl of fire leaving the De Luca heiress to shield her eyes. Once Luna was gone, Kimiko smiled and went towards the corridor to the catacombs. She might have just made a friend even if it was a weird encounter.
And there you go! chapter 3 and 4 shall soon be here so please have patience.
read and review I'll take anything :3